Opinion
CASE No. 1:10-cv-02348-LJO-MJS (PC)
11-14-2012
GARRISON S. JOHNSON, Plaintiff, v. CATE, et al., Defendants.
ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF'S MOTION
TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS FOR
SERVICE BY UNITED STATES
MARSHALL
(ECF No. 18)
ORDER EXTENDING SERVICE DEADLINE
TO FEBRUARY 6, 2013
CLERK TO RE-ISSUE SERVICE
DOCUMENTS
Plaintiff Garrison S. Johnson is a state prisoner proceeding pro se in this civil rights action filed December 16, 2010, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. (Compl., ECF No. 1). This matter proceeds on Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint (First Am. Compl., ECF No. 8) against Defendant Doran on a claim for violation of the Fourteenth Amendment Equal Protection Clause. (Order Requiring Plaintiff Amend or Notify, ECF No. 9; Notice, ECF No. 10). On July 6, 2012, the Court issued its order instructing Plaintiff, who is not proceeding in forma pauperis, on service of process and directing that service be completed by November 7, 2012. (Order Instructing, ECF No. 13).
Plaintiff has paid the filing fee in full for initiating this action. Receipt No. CAE100013403.
On November 2, 2012, Plaintiff filed a motion for permission to proceed in forma pauperis for service of summons and complaint by the United States Marshall (Mot. for IFP re Service, ECF 15). That motion is now before the Court.
Because Plaintiff is not proceeding in forma pauperis, it is his responsibility to effect service of the summons and First Amended Complaint on Defendant Doran. Fed. R. Civ. P. 4; 28 U.S.C. § 1915(d). Plaintiff's instant Motion, construed as a request for service by the U.S. Marshall shall be denied. Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(d).
Nothing before the Court suggests that Plaintiff can not effect service of process. Plaintiff filed a proof of service (P.O.S., ECF No. 15) on October 12, 2012. The proof indicates Plaintiff attempted service, but does not show proper service under federal or state law. Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(e); Cal. Civ. Proc. Code §§ 415.10 et seq. & 417.10 et seq.
The Court takes judicial notice of its own records. United States v. Wilson, 631 F.2d 118, 119 (9th Cir. 1980).
The Court does, however, find good cause to extend and does extend the service deadline. Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(m); See Wei v. State of Hawaii, 763 F.2d 370, 372 ("good cause" may be found where service attempted but not completed, or where plaintiff was prevented from serving defendants by factors beyond his control). Pro se litigants are allowed more latitude than represented litigants to correct defects in service of process and pleadings. Moore v. Agency for Int'l Development 994 F.2d 874, 876 (D.C. Cir. 1993).
Accordingly, for the foregoing reasons, it is hereby ordered that:
1. Plaintiff's motion for permission to proceed in forma pauperis for service of summons and complaint by the United States Marshall (ECF No. 15) is DENIED without prejudice,IT IS SO ORDERED.
2. The Clerk of the Court is directed to re-issue and send Plaintiff:
a) One (1) summons;
b) One (1) copy of the form entitled "Notice of Lawsuit and Request for Waiver of Service of Summons";
c) One (1) copy of the form entitled "Waiver of Service";
d) One (1) copy of the form entitled "Consent to Proceed Before United
States Magistrate Judge" with instructions; and3. Plaintiff shall serve a copy of this order and a copy of the form "Consent to Proceed Before United States Magistrate Judge" on Defendant at the time of service of the summons and the First Amended Complaint,
e) One (1) copy of Rule 4 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure,
4. Plaintiff shall complete service of process on Defendant Doran by not later than February 6, 2013, and
5. Plaintiff's failure to timely complete service of the First Amended Complaint on Defendant Doran may result in dismissal of this action. Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(m).
Michael J. Seng
ci4d6 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE